Month: September 2023

First Solar School Project in Pakistan Inaugurated at Benchmark School

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PGREF-School

Islamabad, 20 September 2023: Pakistan-German Renewable Energy Forum (PGREF) and Benchmark School, in collaboration with the Goethe Institute, organised an event for the inauguration of Benchmark School as a new Solar School. The event marked the official launch of the project at the school and its integration into the “Solar Schools” network, highlighting the successful installation of a solar system for teaching purposes and the importance of renewable energy and climate change for the youth of Pakistan. It brought together the school management, esteemed dignitaries from both Pakistan and Germany,…

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Defaulters owe DISCOs over Rs2tr

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Hydroelectricproject

ISLAMABAD: The government appears to be highly concerned about the runaway circular debt that amounts to a staggering Rs2.3 trillion but habitual defaulters have caused no less damage to the power sector as they owe over Rs2 trillion. These defaulters have widespread influence and are still receiving electricity from power distribution companies (DISCOs), though they have not paid bills since long. The government has only been able to reduce electricity supplies to such customers so that DISCOs could somewhat curtail their losses. In addition, independent power producers (IPPs) are receiving…

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FBR tells Senate body: Rs37bn ‘solar panel scam’ to be probed under AML

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fbr

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has informed the Senate Standing Committee on Finance that over Rs37 billion over-invoicing scam on import of solar panels would be dealt with under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AML). The meeting featured a briefing by the FBR chairman and his team, shedding light on reports of massive money laundering by solar panel importers. The FBR chairman informed that as a result of the audit, two FIRs have recently been lodged against M/s Bright Star Business Solution (Pvt) Ltd and M/s Moonlight Trader (SMC)…

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NEECA again transferred to Power Division

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power-sector

ISLAMABAD: The government has once again transferred National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (NEECA) to Power Division from Ministry of Science and Technology due to ‘pressure’ from the World Bank. According to Cabinet Division, NECCA shall continue to be reflected against business of the Power Division in schedule–II of the Rules to Power Division. In September last year, the then Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had given his nod to transfer NEECA back to Power Division from Ministry of Science and Technology within four months. Bringing energy efficiency to industrial sector:…

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Discos seek Nepra nod for Rs1.829/unit hike

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Nepra-tariff

ISLAMABAD: The ex-Wapda distribution companies (XWDiscos) have sought the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority’s (Nepra) green light for collection of Rs1.829/unit additional charges from consumers in October. The request is in relation to the monthly Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) for August. Meanwhile, Rashid Mahmood Langrial, Power Division Secretary, shared updates on the ongoing power sector’s anti-theft campaign that started on September 7. He said on the 12th day, the recovery reached Rs4.6 billion, with 1,104 individuals apprehended. Although, the disparity between the filed FIRs and actual arrests is growing, there…

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